In the 12-year period of 2005 through 2016, canines killed 392 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 65% (254) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

#330: Police Kill Dog Attacking Goats
10/16/08 | Anson, TX
Summary: Back in September, a police officer shot a pit bull attacking a baby goat. Anson Police Chief Patrick Hawthorne said that before the incident the city had impounded three goats, one of which was a baby. They had also impounded a pit bull and put it in a separate location. But the pit bull escaped its pen and attacked the baby goat -- the leg was severed and the goat was bleeding profusely. The officer shot and killed the dog.Pit bulls killed: 1

#331: Atlanta Police Shoot Pit Bull Chasing Suspect
10/17/08 | Atlanta, GA
Summary: In a written statement, Atlanta police told Channel 2 news that a pit bull attacked an officer and the officer fired his weapon after fearing for his safety. The pit bull's owner, Tracy Dummetts, said her dog, Veruca, was riddled with bullet holes when police chasing a drug suspect opened fired on her dog. Dummetts is surprised that no one from the department has offered apologies or help for her vet bills.

#332: Dog Attacks Child Getting Off Bus, Officer Shoots Dog
10/17/08 | Summit, LA
Summary: An 11-year old girl was attacked by a dog after getting out of the school bus. The Lee’s Summit Police Department said the girl was exiting a Pleasant Lea Elementary School bus stop when bitten by the dog. Shortly thereafter, the LSPD was called. As an officer approached on foot, the dog charged him. After the dog charged a second time, he drew his weapon and killed the animal.Pit bulls killed: 1

#333: Young County Officer Shoots, Kills Pit Bull
10/17/08 | Young County, TX
Summary: Young County is the same county in which 2 pit bull owners were recently convicted in the death of Tanner Joshua Monk. On Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a pit bull after the dog charged him when responding to a call. The dogs had cornered two people in their yard. When officer Bradford stepped out of his vehicle, he said that the dog "lunged at me so I unholstered and shot twice."Pit bulls killed: 1

#334: Gang Member Arrested, Pit Bull Shot and Killed
10/17/08 | Somerset, NJ
Summary: Authorities said that a reputed Bloods gang member nicknamed "Fat-Boy'' is facing criminal charges and one of his pit bulls is dead after authorities shot and killed the dog as it lunged toward detectives who were attempting to use a warrant to search his home. Police said the dead pit bull was named C.K., short for Crip Killer. The Crips are a rival gang of the Bloods.Pit bulls killed: 1

#335: Three Arrested, Pit Bull Shot in Taunton
10/20/08 | Taunton, MA
Summary: A drug bust at an apartment building turned violent as two suspected drug dealers -- and a pit bull terrier -- fought police officers as they tried to make arrests. After entering the unit and undergoing a lengthy struggle with one suspect, a pit bull jumped into the fray. Before the dog was shot and killed by officers, Detective Christopher Williams was bitten by the animal. Williams received 13 stitches in his hand and is expected to miss several weeks of work.Pit bulls killed: 1

#336: Police Shoot Dog During Investigation
10/21/08 | West Hartford, CT
Summary: Police shot a pit bull in self-defense as they searched for people who might have been involved in a baby shower shooting. SWAT teams were scouring the area when dogs from the K9 unit picked up the scent. Police believe the shooters, or people who knew the shooters, went to the hall to gather evidence left behind after the shooting. When police moved in, the people released a pit bull. The officers shot the dog.

#337: Police Officer Shoots Pit Bull In Sonora
10/21/08 | Sonora, CA
Summary: Police responded to a report of dogs chasing other animals. One of the officers located two dogs, described as pit bulls, and followed them to a nearby residence. The officer parked his vehicle and started walking toward the residence to see if anyone knew who owned the dogs. As the officer was walking, he was charged by both of the pit bulls. Fearing for his safety, he shot the closest dog, killing it.Pit bulls killed: 1